Relocation of nests by swarms and nest reconstruction in late autumn in the primitively eusoical wasp,Ropalidia fasciata,with discussions on the role of swarming |
| |
Authors: | Yosiaki Itô |
| |
Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Applied Entomology and Nematology, Nagoya University, Chikusa, 464 Nagoya, Japan |
| |
Abstract: | FourRopalidia fasciata colonies abandoned their nests without any sign of predator attack, heavy parasitism or damage due to typhoon or man, and
established new nests by groups. At least 1, possible 3, of them can be difined as the nest relocation by a swarm, since the
cell contents were considered to be removed before the nest abandonment. This method of nest foundation in a primitively eusocial
species is considered to be an intermediate stage between nest foundations by idependent-founding, primitively cusocial species
and swarm-founding, highly eusocial species (subgenusIcarielia) in the genusRopalidia. Some nests were established in October, near the last stage of ordinary colony cycle of this species. The significance of
these facts in relation to West-Eberhard's polygynous family hypothesis (1978) is discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|